Priorities
State EdTech Trends
The 2026 State EdTech Trends Report, developed in collaboration with Whiteboard Advisors, captures perspectives from state edtech directors, CIOs, state chiefs, and other education leaders nationwide.
Drawing on 73 survey responses from state education agency leaders in 45 states and one territory, the report examines the priorities, challenges, and opportunities shaping K-12 education technology policy and practice. Like prior editions, the report combines national survey findings with state spotlights.
This year’s spotlights feature North Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, and Colorado, highlighting how states are responding to artificial intelligence (AI), concerns about screen time, procurement decisions, and the needs of online schools.
The report also explores how state leaders are navigating increasing expectations around accountability, evidence-based decision-making, cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and the responsible use of emerging technologies.
Key Findings
- AI Remains the Top State EdTech Priority: Artificial intelligence remains the top technology priority for state leaders. As AI adoption expands, states are increasingly moving beyond guidance and exploration toward formal policies, governance structures, and implementation support.
- States Face Growing Pressure to Demonstrate Impact: Public scrutiny of technology in schools is rising, and state leaders face greater pressure to show that technology investments improve learning outcomes. At the same time, many states report limited access to the data needed to measure effectiveness and inform decision-making.
- Cell Phone Policies Expanded Rapidly: Statewide cell phone bans and restrictions grew significantly in 2026, making device policies one of the most visible education policy developments nationwide. Many states are pairing these efforts with investments in digital citizenship and responsible technology use.
- Evidence-Based Procurement Is Becoming the Norm: States are placing greater emphasis on evidence, transparency, privacy, and safety when evaluating edtech products. Leaders report growing expectations that vendors substantiate effectiveness claims, particularly for AI-enabled tools.
- Professional Learning Is the Fastest-Growing Unmet Need: More state leaders identified professional learning as a top unmet need than any other area. Building educator capacity remains critical to ensuring that technology investments translate into improved teaching and learning outcomes.
- A Shift From Adoption to Accountability: Across all findings, one theme emerged: the conversation no longer focuses primarily on expanding access to technology. State leaders are increasingly focused on ensuring technology is effective, safe, evidence-based, and aligned with student success.
This work was made possible through the generous support of Siegel Family Endowment, whose commitment to advancing education through technology has empowered us to continue tracking and addressing these key issues. Thank you!
Download 2026 Report Here (28-page PDF) | Read Press Release
Download Data Sets
| Full Reports | Summary Results | Open-ended Responses | Question Response Charts | |
| 2026 | 2026 Report | Download Excel | Download Excel | Download PowerPoint |
| 2025 | 2025 Report | Download Excel | Download Excel | Download PowerPoint |
| 2024 | 2024 Report | Download Excel | Download Excel | Download PowerPoint |
| 2023 | 2023 Report | Download Excel | Download Excel | Download PowerPoint |
| 2022 | 2022 Report | Download Excel | Download Excel | Download PowerPoint |
- Summary Results: these Excel files contain the summary results for all questions that are not open-ended.
- Open-ended Responses: these Excel files contain the results for the open-ended questions. Any references to state names or state-specific activities have been stripped.
- Question Response Charts: this PowerPoint file contains separate charts representing most questions in the survey.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or [email protected]